Student life

In general in Italy universities do not have a campus, as in other European countries, and this is probably the main feature that affects both the students’ academic and social life. As a first step in their new life, once they enrol to a university, students from other towns, the so-called studenti fuori sede, will have to find their own accommodation, either in the university dormitories or in a private apartment. Generally speaking, the majority of the students prefer to share a flat with some other friends, with whom they will spend their university years. This is one of the main forms of friendship-making for Italian university students, and generally the relationships that are formed during these years remain important for their entire lives.

Academic life is scheduled day by day by lessons and time in the study room, students generally meet their friends and colleagues to study together, between coffee breaks (pausa caffè). Lunches are often consumed at the canteen (mensa) or in a bar or paninoteca, where they can have a sandwich (panino). On the other hand, dinners are generally eaten at home, often with other friends or roommates (compagni di appartamento), and this can become an opportunity for a party. Quite often, on graduation day, students organise parties (festa di laurea) with their friends either at home or in restaurants/bars, where generally they play music, drink and eat, and play games. In the larger university cities such as Bologna is, the student social life is very lively, and students have many opportunities to get together to follow their interests, such as music, art, politics, human rights etc., in student associations or clubs, and to practice sport in the university teams and sport centres. In particular, the Goliardia is a student association that dates back to centuries ago, when the students used to meet in cafés to discuss art, literature and politics, with a very critical and ironic attitude towards the academic institutions.

Nowadays, they have abandoned the political criticism, but have kept their ironic and easy-going spirit; it is quite common to see them meeting in public spaces wearing their traditional hat, the feluca and a cloak. Moreover, many students spend their spare time as volunteers in social and charitable organisations, and many also have a part-time job to help cover their living expenses.